Liverpool 2-0 Chelsea - Post Match

[Mostar]

was that the best game lucas has had for us? thought he was excellent

Absolutely. Easily his best performance thus far.

[Rudo]

Didn't like the way we went into our shell a bit in the 2nd half - and if Maxi had stayed on his feet rather than looking for a pen, would he have got the ball?

Yes, it was a big surprise to see a team that's been in the relegation for long periods this season, low on confidence sitting back against one of the best teams in Europe and the Champions after taking a surprise 2-0 lead.

And i thought it was a Penalty.

[shanks69]

But I'm still uncomfortable with how little possession we had and how little we controlled the game. Then again Chelsea are a top team so I suppose it's not necessarily damning and at least we were defending much higher up the pitch.

possession doesn't win games, goals do

[Darkon]

good game from us, and especially the first half. We got pressured back in the second half, but we kept a clean sheet and chelsea to 2-3 chances.

Good to see Torres back and praise to Lucas, he was immense today. Also credit to Kelly for his role today, came in and did very well IMO.

[Shaggy]

[Mostar]

FFS where is the man of the match thread? Finally when i want to vote, it's no where to be seen. :headshake:

Same here

[Neil Young]

I thought in the first half we had alot of posession
I think the second half posession was dictated by us sitting too deep and defending too deep which was more of a reaction to a team lacking confidence and wanting to preserve a lead

I dont think it was symptomatic of tactics more of nerves

I think it was both. Perhaps we dropped deep through nerves but I thought we went 4-5-1 for the last 25 minutes at least. The result means it worked but it's still something to keep an eye on. I thought we had less possession than them in the first half but I haven't seen the stats so could well be wrong.

[little dave hedgehog]

still can't put together 2 halves of football but oh well. men of the match:

lucas
torres
pepe
kelly

[Armchairkopite]

Great game today now we have two huge away games coming up which should give us a barometer of what we can achieve in the league.

[Roboklopp]

Decent press conference by Roy there.

Yep, I was reminded of the Houllier era too.

Aye to both there.

[Neil Young]

possession doesn't win games, goals do

Thanks for the insight.

[Rudo]

Fair play to Ancelotti, he doesn't make any excuses.

[mick the click]

Just exchanged pleasantries with my next door neighbour, typical chav prawn cocktail type. He was magnanimous in defeat.

[Shaggy]

I dont expect us to be driving on all the time but its dangerous to sit back the way we did. What's needed is to keep the ball better but we largely fell back into hoofing it high for Torres to battle for on his own.

Yes we could have had a third but that was when they were pushing up. They had at least 3 very good chances in the second half, whereas we only really had Kuyt's effort.

I remember us beating Chelsea under Houllier when Cheyrou scored with a very similar performance. Didnt mean Houllier's tactics were good enough. The problem with those performances is they'll win you some games against the top teams but over the course of the season, you wont get enough points to really be a contender.

Which pretty much sums up Fulham's record in recent seasons for me...


And yes, I know Im being a grumpy barsteward

Uncanny, I also mentioned Houllier's teams today.

Totally delighted with the result. I wasn't gonna mention this on here as I'll be accused of nitpicking, sticking the boot into Roy or whatthe****ever (committing suicide?) - but we played like minnows in the 2nd half. Two banks of four, about 15 yards apart. Our defensive third had 8 men standing in two rows - pure Houllier. Also the use of CMs out wide reminded me of Murphy on the right and Cheyrou on the left.

However...I'll leave it there. Bit by bit we are getting better. If the run continues I expect us to play with more authority and less of this giantkillers' approach. Amazing that we're so close the chasing pack now.

[el matador]

great result today. Delighted to see the old fernando back and he tormented chelsea all day.

i thought everyone played well today and lucas was absolutely outstanding. Gerrard bossed the first half, kuyt back from his injury was full of running and was a great foil for fernando.

Skrtel was strong and carra was a help to kelly who was really good too.

Credit to Roy as well because we're quick to slag him so we should have the grace to congratulate him when he's played a big part in that result.